太子瑞應本起經 1.25

1.25

"When the prince reached seventeen years of age, the king took a consort for him. He inspected several thousand renowned maidens in the realm, but none suited his mind. At last there was a maiden named Gopikā, upright, handsome, pure, and foremost in the world; her worthiness and talent surpassed others, and her propriety and righteousness were fully accomplished—she was the flower-selling maiden from his previous life. Although the prince took her, he did not consort with her for a long time. The woman's disposition wished to draw near to him. The prince said: 'If we constantly obtain fine flowers, place them between us, and look at them together, would that not be fine?' Gopikā then prepared fine flowers and wished again to approach him. The prince said: 'Remove these flowers; their sap will stain and dirty the bed mat.' Much later, he said again: 'If we obtain fine white cotton, place it between us, and the two of us look at it, would that not also be fine?' The woman then prepared the cotton, and again wished to draw near. The prince said: 'Keep your distance; you have impurities and will surely soil this cotton.' The woman did not dare draw near. The serving maids at their side all harbored suspicions, thinking he was incapable as a man. The prince pointed his finger at his consort's belly and said: 'After six years, you will give birth to a boy.' Thereupon she became pregnant."